Fansided

3 Terry Francona mistakes that cost the Guardians Game 5

By Mark Powell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on prior to a game against the New York Yankees in game five of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians looks on prior to a game against the New York Yankees in game five of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Aug 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona (77) argues with umpires Alan Porter (64) and Lance Barksdale (23) in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona (77) argues with umpires Alan Porter (64) and Lance Barksdale (23) in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Terry Francona mistakes: Guardians missed challenge

Francona and Cleveland were aggressive in their challenges earlier this series, even failing on two attempts in Game 4 on Sunday. Why, then, did they suddenly change that approach when they needed it the most?

Down three runs in the fourth inning, Cleveland needed all the help it could get, especially offensively. Andres Gimenez hit a ground ball down the first-base line and forced Anthony Rizzo into a race for the bag. Gimenez appeared to win this race, as replay would suggest. Yet, the Guardians did not challenge the play in question.

Tito wasn’t the only member of the coaching staff watching the replay, but at the end of the day he makes that decision. Every baserunner matters in an elimination game, especially given the Guardians were already down multiple runs. To give the Yankees and out they didn’t deserve changed the outlook of that inning, and the game as a result.

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